HP and Huawei sign license-sharing agreement on Wi-Fi tech - but won't reveal what they're working on

HP and Huawei to share patents in a multi-year agreement

by · TechRadar

News By Craig Hale Published 26 August 2026

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  • HP and Huawei enter patent-sharing deal, with Huawei's Wi-Fi 7 patents central to the deal
  • Huawei is still under the microscope by the US Department of Commerce
  • The companies have had a previous run-in about Wi-Fi patents

Huawei has confirmed a multi-year global patent cross-licensing agreement with HP in relation to its Wi-Fi technology, ultimately granting the latter permission to use certain Huawei Wi-Fi patents. In return, Huawei will also receive rights to some of HP's patents.

Central to the agreement is Huawei's Wi-Fi portfolio, including Wi-Fi 7 technology, however neither company has actually disclosed the exact patents that are covered. Further details, like the financial terms or the deal's duration, are also under wraps.

The deal is of great geopolitical significance, with California-based HP striking up a deal with Shenzhen-based Huawei – a Chinese company that remains on the US Department of Commerce's Entity List.

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HP and Huawei deal

Although US restrictions have severely restricted Huawei's ability to buy American chips, software and other technology, and other international restrictions including in the UK have sought to remove Huawei hardware from critical national infrastructure, this new deal is proof that the company still has major influence outside of China.

Importantly, an HP spokesperson (via Reuters) stressed that this is merely a patent licensing agreement: "It is not new, and does not represent a broader strategic or commercial relationship, partnership, or collaboration with Huawei." The company noted that such licences are normal because manufacturers need access to patented technology for certain standards, like Wi-Fi.

"This milestone agreement not only reflects the companies’ cooperation in the field of intellectual property licensing but also recognizes Huawei's innovation capabilities and core technological strength as well as HP’s position as a global leader in computers and peripheral equipment," Huawei wrote.

Ultimately, being on the Entity List doesn't represent an outright ban for American companies to transact with Huawei, but it does place the company under US scrutiny. Neither does it mean that HP has been given special treatment to bypass US restrictions to open this deal.

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